Charlie Crist apologizes to David Byrne for using song in campaign

U.S. Senate candidate Gov. Charlie Crist makes a point in the debate with challengers Republican Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, during their televised-statewide debate, at the studios of WFTV on Oct. 6, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. In one of the most watched campaign debates in the nation, Republican Rubio and Democratic Meek pitted against Crist who is running as Independent. According to reports, recent polls show Rubio is leading the race for Senate. The debate was moderated by the &amp;quot;Good Morning America&amp;quot; host George Stephanopolous. (Joe Burbank-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charlie Crist

Crist's campaign had used the song - without permission - in an ad posted to Crist's website and on YouTube against Republican Marco Rubio, who would go on to win the Senate seat.

Now, as part of a settlement, Crist has apologized in the rather dour video at left. In it, Crist says that "Mr. Byrne has never permitted his songs to be used for advertizing of any kind, a position I respect deeply."

"The use of David Byrne's song and his voice in my campaign advertisement without his permission was wrong, and should not have occurred," Crist says, staring straight at the camera.

"I sincerely apologize to David Byrne for using his famous song and his unique voice in my campaign advertisement without his position," he adds. Crist goes on to pledge that he will get permission or a license for copyrighted work he wants to use in any future campaigns.

"Other artists may actually have the anger but not want to take the time and risk the legal bills," said Byrne. "I am lucky that I can do that. Anyway, my hope is that by standing up to this practice maybe it can be made to be a less common option, or better yet an option that is never taken in the future."

Crist told the AP that Byrne "couldn't have been a better guy" when the two met over the issue, adding that the singer "couldn't have been more of a gentleman about it."